Topic Contents

Chipped or Broken Tooth or Dental Appliance

Topic Overview

A chip or break in a tooth may occur suddenly with an injury or
develop slowly over time because of wear and tear. A chip, crack, or break in
the
tooth enamel is less serious than one to a
deeper layer of your tooth. A chip may result from
grinding the teeth at night. A dentist can recommend a
course of treatment for you.

Breaks (fractures), defects, or
cracks that go deep into the tooth and involve most of
the top (crown) of permanent teeth must be checked by a dentist. Deep fractures
or cracks can lead to inflammation, infection, or death of the tooth. The
center of the tooth (pulp) must be protected within a few hours of the injury
to increase the chances of saving the tooth.
Root canal treatment or a restoration may be needed. A
restoration, such as a
crown, will cover the tooth and hold the tooth
together.

Bleeding is serious when it occurs inside a permanent tooth after the
tooth has been broken. Prompt dental treatment can often prevent the tooth from
dying.

A sharp piece of tooth or dental appliance, such as an orthodontic
wire, may irritate your mouth and, if left in a mouth wound, can delay healing
and lead to infection or scarring. A broken dental appliance can interfere with
your ability to open and close your mouth or can be accidentally swallowed. A
dentist can smooth the rough edges of the tooth, replace pieces of the tooth,
or fix the broken dental appliance.

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